American Aurora
Page 97
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1799
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
General Washington has died in the 69th year of his life … The general has left a very large fortune which, is supposed, will principally descend to the Custis family.
The important command of the army devolves on General Hamilton who is at present in Philadelphia …
The Senate of the United States have come to an order that members wear black during the session …
To-Morrow being CHRISTMAS DAY, and Thursday being appointed a day of solemn mourning in honor of the immortal leader of the American armies to independence,
GEORGE WASHINGTON,
lately deceased—the publication of this paper will be suspended for those two days.
Tonight, in the Gazette of the United States;
Brigadier General Macpherson is charged to superintend the ceremonial in the city of Philadelphia.
THE friends of the Federal Government, in the city of Philadelphia, are requested to meet at Dunwoody’s Tavern at six o’clock this evening for the purpose of consulting on the subject of the election of Electors of President and Vice President.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1799.
George Washington’s memorial procession, crossing High-street on Philadelphia’s Fourth-street, viewed from within the covered country market.1883
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1799
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
Yesterday presented a scene of public mourning, of solemnity and respect, which this city has never before on any occasion witnessed in an equal degree …
At eleven o’clock, conformable to orders, the United States corps under Brigadier General Macpherson paraded in the center of Chestnut street, opposite Congress Hall.
The Militia corps, composing the Republican legion, commanded by Colonel Shee … paraded in Fifth Street …
The procession commenced at twelve o’clock, with a troop of horse leading down Walnut to Fourth Street, where they turned to the left, and crossed, Chestnut, Market, and Arch Street, until they arrived at the German Lutheran Church, in the following order.
Capt M’Kean’s troop of Federal Horse.
Capt Price’s Light Infantry, Republican
Captain Rush’s d[itt]o d[itt]o
Capt. Kefsler’s d[itt]o d[itt]o
Capt. Duane’s d[itt]o d[itt]o …
THE BIER
Carried by six sergeants. Paul supported by six veterans …
The President of the United States and his lady were present …
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1799
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
FOR THE AURORA.
With pearly drop in city’s eye,
Columbia’s sons incessant cry;
O WASHINGTON !—in virtue try’d
Would thou had never liv’d—or never died.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
UPPER CHAMBER
The Division of the Legislature into two or three Branches in England, was it the Product of Wisdom or the Effect of Necessity arising from the preexisting Prevalence of an odious Feudal System? … I am sorry to see … one half the Legislature [the Senate] … proudly called the UPPER HOUSE, and the other Branch, chosen by the majority of the People, degraded by the denomination of the LOWER; and giving to this upper House a Permanency of … [several] Years, and but two to the lower …
DR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN1884
I now think the Number of Representatives should bear some proportion to the Number of the Represented, and that the Decisions should be by the Majority of Members, not by the Majority of States.
DR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN,
AT THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION, JUNE 11, 17871885
Never was any measure so thoroughly discussed as our proposed new [federal] Constitution … As to the two chambers [of the legislature], I am of your opinion that one alone would be better …
DR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN1886
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 1800
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
AN ODE ON THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE NEW YEAR
MAID, Liberty, for ever dear,
The simple gift our Simple Parents gave !
Hail the sweet pow’r to shed the lonely tear !
And moralize upon the Patriot’s grave;
To open Mem’ry’s precious roll,
And from its stores refresh the soul;
To view the height where philosophic bards,
Thro’ pain and toil, have bought rewards
Explor’d their way to Truth’s secluded dome;
And bade her forth, with gentle hand,
To bless some free and peaceful land
And be their arbitress for days to come …
1800 ! A Presidential election year! A year to depose His Rotundity and end America’s “Reign of Witches”!
Tonight, in the Gazette of the United States:
At a meeting of a number of the citizens of the city of Philadelphia, pursuant to public notice on Tuesday the 24th December at the house of John Dunwoody, for the purpose of considering the propriety of addressing the Legislature in favor of an election of Electors for a President and Vice President of the United States by Districts, it was resolved that … [an] address be circulated for the signatures of the inhabitants of the city of Philadelphia …
If Federalists played by the rules they established in the last presidential election, Pennsylvania would award its fifteen presidential electoral votes to the candidate who wins a statewide popular election. Fearing, however, that last October’s statewide majority for Thomas McKean will become next October’s majority for Thomas Jefferson and knowing that, despite McKean’s majority last October, a majority of counties voted for James Ross,1887 the Federalist majority in the Pennsylvania state senate is obstructing renewal of the old election law and proposes instead to divide the electoral votes between the candidates on the basis of district elections (thereby giving John Adams nine of the state’s fifteen presidential electors).1888
SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 1800
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
The Citizens are cautioned against a petition insidiously circulating … This petition is a party maneuver … and calculated to destroy all the happy effects of the late success of republicanism in this state.
Today, James Monroe, now Governor of Virginia, writes Thomas Jefferson:
I am strongly impressed with a belief that if A[dams] puts himself in the hands of the B[ritis]h faction, an attempt will be made to carry [enforce] the Sedition Act here [in Virginia] as an electioneering trick in the course of the summer. They must be deprived of a plausible pretext in w[hi]ch case an attempt will dishonor them …1889
TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1800
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
We learn … that the bill … for election districts … has been thrown out of the [Pennsylvania] lower house. A bill has been passed by the house of representatives of this state for choosing electors … in the old form by a general ticket. This has been sent up to the senate but is not expected to pass.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 1800
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
Among the parcels sold at Cobbett’s auction were several marked thus on the outside …
Caricatures of the Vice President
Tonight, in the Gazette of the United States:
Extract of a Sermon … preached December 29, 1799, in Christ Church and St. Peter’s, by the Rev. Mr. ABERCROMBIE, one of the assistant Ministers of said Churches. “BRETHREN … O WASHINGTON, LIVE FOR EVER ! …”
[To the President of the United States]
SIR … With grateful acknowledgment and unfeigned thanks for the personal respect and evidences of condolence expressed by Congress and yourself …MARTHA WASHINGTON
MR. FENNO, A Correspondent wishes to be informed who is the Editor of the Aurora, a newspaper published lately in this city by B. F. Bache—It has been said the Editor is one Duane—who published a pamphlet with the signature of �
�Jasper Dwight of Vermont,” insulting the late General Washington …A. B.
MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 1800
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
While this country, by the recommendation of its Government, is paying its last honors to one of the most distinguished revolutionary Characters … it will be a pleasure to the sincere republicans to recollect similar homage to a genius, equally conspicuous in science and in politics; and the friend of WASHINGTON. When the eulogium of FRANKLIN was pronounced in the National Assembly of France, there was a profound and perfect silence … MIRABEAU EXCLAIMED … “Were it not worthy of us, gentlemen … to pay our share of that homage now rendered in sight of the universe, at once to the rights of man and to the philosopher who most contributed to extend the conquests of liberty over the face of the whole earth? …”
Today, in New York City, William Cobbett, alias Peter Porcupine, publishes a farewell issue of the Porcupine’s Gazette, including:
TO THE SUBSCRIBERS TO THIS GAZETTE …
I now address to you the farewell number of PORCUPINE’S GAZETTE.
Remembering, as you must, my solemn promise to quit Pennsylvania in case my old democratic Judge, MACK KEAN, should be elected Governor; and, knowing as you now do, that he is elected to that office, there are, I trust, very few of you who will be surprized to find that I am no longer in that degraded and degrading State.
My removal from Philadelphia to New-York would certainly be a sufficient apology for the suspension of my paper from the 26th of October to this time … but the renewal of this intercourse between us … cannot take place, whether now or at any future time …
I began my editorial career with the presidency of Mr. Adams and my principal object was to render to his administration all the assistance in my power. I looked upon him as a stately well-armed vessel, sailing on an expedition to combat and destroy the fatal influence of French intrigue and French principles … but he suddenly tacked about [dispatching this mission to France], and I could follow him no longer …
I congratulate myself on never having, in a single instance, been the sycophant of the Sovereign People and on having persisted … in openly and unequivocally avowing my attachment to my native country and my allegiance to my King …
And now, “my dear Philadelphians” … I will, for the present, take my leave of you … I wish you joy of your new Governor … I wish you joy of your House of Assembly … and your Captain Duane and his company of volunteers … And, though last not least, I wish you joy … of your DOCTORS.[WM. COBBETT]
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1800
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
It is reported that the Legislature of New Jersey have risen without being able to pass a law directing the choice of Electors of President and Vice President of the United States … The House of representatives insisted upon the electors being chosen immediately by the people … while the council [the upper chamber] contended for the old practice … of their being chosen by the Legislature.
As in Pennsylvania, Federalists in New Jersey’s state legislature won’t allow a statewide popular vote to decide who gets the state’s presidential electoral vote.1890
TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 1800
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
AN APPRENTICE WANTED
TO THE PRINTING BUSINESS. Enquire at this office.
Tonight, Jack Fenno in the Gazette of the United States:
IN most countries it would be found that the great mass of the people are incompetent to judge of public affairs of an extensive and complex nature, and, when so deceived, incompetent to select proper officers for the management of such concerns.
This is no imputation on their understanding; for their attention is occupied with other objects. An excellent sailor may know nothing of the mechanism of a watch—nor a watchmaker of the working of a ship. The choice of a majority is therefore no test of the qualifications of a candidate.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 1800
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
At a meeting of a number of the citizens of Montgomery county [Pennsylvania], held at the house of Nicholas Sweyer …
Resolved, That a Committee … draught a memorial to the Legislature of this State, soliciting that a law (directing the manner of choosing the electors of a President and Vice President) may be passed similar to those which have been heretofore on the same subject …
Today, in the Senate of the United States, Pennsylvania’s Federalist Senator James Ross (who lost to Thomas McKean in the race for Governor of Pennsylvania) proposes that the Senate consider legislation to deal with the coming presidential election. The Annals of Congress report:
On motion of Mr. Ross [Federalist, Pennsylvania], that it be, Resolved, That a committee be appointed to consider whether any, and what, provisions, ought to be made by law for deciding disputed elections of President and Vice President of the United States, and for determining the legality or illegality of the votes given for those officers in the different states …
Suppose, said he, persons should claim to be Electors who had never been properly appointed, should their vote be received? …1891
Tonight, in the Gazette of the United States:
There has been much talk of late respecting a defection of the subscribers to the Aurora, said to have been occasioned by four testimonials of disrespect exhibited by the people who manage that paper towards the memory of the late General Washington.
MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 1800
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
The proceedings in the Senate of the United States of last week indicate measures of particular interest on the tapis there. Accustomed to hear little either to instruct or inform in that house, we were not prepared to take notes there during the last week; however, … we expect to be able to attend to them in subsequent stages more at large.
Our state election for electors of President and Vice President has already caused some agitation in the Pennsylvania Legislature … The party hostile to the popular interests has obtained in our state Senate a majority, and they are determined that we shall be deprived of a law … rather than have the law which the people of the state approve and call for … [A Pennsylvania member of the Senate of the United States] Mr. Ross … has brought forward in the Senate of the United States a measure expressly calculated to defeat the wishes of the people of this commonwealth … We shall attend to this alarming attempt upon the freedom of this state …
It is understood that the legislature of New-Jersey has risen without enacting a law for choosing the electors of the next President of the United States. Appearances countenance the apprehension that the legislature of Pennsylvania also may rise under like circumstances.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1800
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
The United States frigate which conveyed our Commissioners to the French Republic was spoken with on the 24th of Nov. within two days sail of Cadiz, all well.
War … Today, off Guadeloupe in the French West Indies, the U.S. Navy’s 340–man, thirty-six-gun frigate Constellation pursues and fires upon the fifty-eight-gun French national ship-of-war Le Vengeance. In this engagement, thirty-eight Americans are killed or wounded. Captain Thomas Truxton reports:
Throughout these twenty-four hours, very unsettled weather, kept on our tracks beating up under Guadeloupe and at half past 7 A.M … saw a sail in the S. E … [D]iscovered she was a heavy French frigate, mounting at least 54 guns. I immediately gave orders for the yards to be slung with the chains, topsail sheet, &c. stoppered, and the ship cleared and everything prepared for action … [G]ot within hail of him at 8 P.M., hoisted our ensign, and had the candles in the battle lanterns all lighted and the large trumpet in the lee gangway ready to speak to him to demand the surrender of his ship to the U.S. of America, but he at that inst. commenced a fire from his stern and quarter guns directed at our rigging and spars. No parley being necessary, I … [gave my orders] to take good aim and fire directly into the hull
of the enemy; and load principally with two round shot and now and then a stand of grape, &c … [T]hus a close and sharp action … continued until within a few minutes of 1 A. M. when the enemy’s fire was completely silenced …1892
Today, former Aurora writer Jimmy Callender distributes a powerful piece of campaign literature, the first volume (184 pages) of his new work The Prospect Before Us:1893
In the fall of 1796, when the French began their depredations, the country fell into a more dangerous juncture than almost any the old confederation ever endured. The tardiness and timidity of Mr. Washington were succeeded by the rancour and insolence of Mr. Adams. The Parisian preference of Dr. Franklin was to be revenged. The British constitution was to be defended, not only by three volumes, but by the sixteen United States …
Every feature in the conduct of Mr. Adams forms a distinct and additional evidence that he was determined, at all events, to embroil this country with France …
Think what you have been, what you are, and what, under the monarch of Massachusetts, you are likely to become. Look at Schneider flogged by the federal troops in the marketplace of Reading … Think of Duane dragged from the office of the Aurora, and of Philadelphia driven to the verge of tumult and massacre …1894